TNBTS Officials Detain Four Illegal Hikers on Mount Semeru

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) authority has detained four people suspected of conducting illegal hiking activities on Mount Semeru in East Java.

Head of the TNBTS Authority Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha stated in Malang on Thursday that officers initially secured three hikers consisting of two guides and one porter.

“The three individuals, comprising two guides and a porter, were detained at the Taman Satriyan National Park Management Resort (RPTN) in Malang Regency on 15 June 2026. Based on their statements, one hiker was left behind on the illegal route due to a leg injury and was immediately evacuated,” Rudi said.

According to information from the TNBTS Authority, the hiker who was left behind suffered a foot injury. The evacuation process was carried out on 16 June 2026 at 08.00 WIB, involving a joint team consisting of TNBTS officers, registered Mount Semeru hiking assistants (PPGST), and volunteers from Gimbal Alas.

“The victim was successfully brought out of the area at around 23.30 WIB, and on 17 June 2026 at around 02.30 WIB, was taken to Sumber Sentosa Tumpang Hospital for medical treatment,” he said.

The TNBTS Authority has fully handed over the handling of the illegal hiking case on Mount Semeru to the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara regions under the Ministry of Forestry.

“We once again urge the public not to hike through illegal routes, as this activity not only violates applicable regulations but also poses a high risk to personal safety,” he stated.

Previously, the TNBTS Authority had also detained 13 illegal hikers through a monitoring operation conducted at the Ranupani RPTN in Lumajang Regency and the Taman Satriyan RPTN in Malang Regency. At the Ranupani RPTN, officers detained two illegal hikers, while at the Taman Satriyan RPTN, 11 individuals were detained.